Police move in as gas hub protest ramps up

More than 100 police are expected to arrive in Broome in coming days as Woodside resumes work on the Kimberley gas hub.

The start of the Kimberley dry season also marks the start of the protest season at the site where the State Government wants to build a $35 billion gas precinct.

Woodside's Vice President of the Browse LNG Development Niegel Grazia has confirmed geotechnical studies begin today.

He says he is hoping for less conflict than last year.

"We're not really doing anything different to last year and we simply ask people to undertake their protest activities in a lawful manner," he said.

"We respect the fact that there are some people in the community who oppose the project, there are many support it, and we have a workforce that's looking to get on with their job."

While police won't comment on operational details, the ABC understands that by mid-week, more than 100 police officers will have been relocated to Broome indefinitely to handle the inevitable confrontations.

Meanwhile, the local shire is under increasing pressure to tear down the illegal camp structures at the protest site.

Earlier this week, the south-west activist group Forest Rescue said it would cover the cost for about a dozen members to join the Kimberley protest camps.

Spokesman Simon Peterffy says the protesters would take their cue from the locally-run, anti-gas campaign.

"Right from the start of this campaign we've always taken our lead from the Broome community," he said.

"The Broome community is a very strong community and clearly they're running this campaign.

"Clearly other groups like Forest Rescue that are getting involved are taking their lead from traditional owners like Goolarabooloo about how they'd like us to be involved in this campaign."